"I'm going to have to take your word for it chief deputy," I said to Simpson."It sounds pretty unlikely I know, but they lace the mash with pot stalks...before it ferments. Then they just make white liquor like any other only they say it is a different kind of high." he explained."Like I said, I'll take your word for it," I said. I thought I did a pretty good job convincing him."Anyway they have an informant in the distribution network. He can get one of our people in the inside. We figure they. With his rifle pointed at the bear, he slowly eased around to put one more bullet in him, between his eyes. That stopped the noises and all was quiet.He knew he’d never be able to go back to sleep after that fracas with the bear, so he made a pot of coffee. He looked over at Wharton and the man was sitting up in his bedroll. “I heard you yell, Grizzly, then all the shootin’ started. Guess it’s better to be a hard man at times. Least ways you saved the animals, and me,” the man said, then rolled. She didn't understand how he could leave the warmth and love of her arms for the cold, smelly, borrowed room full of enamel and pipes. Shannon put herself back together and waited patiently to be relieved of her responsibilities and driven home.Only in the warmth, comfort, and safety of her own bed in her own room would she allow herself to really remember Steve's hands and lips and words. Then she would hug a pillow that she called Steve and take her own hands where she wouldn't permit. "What?"She opened her eyes and saw me. Her eyes went wide then she started yelling."OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! You weren't supposed to be here, oh shit, damn!"She buried her head in the pillows and just kept crying. Her mother, on the other hand was quite calm.Turning and leaning back against the bed, still on the floor her legs still spread wide she just looked me up and down."Well, you didn't scream and run away, so that's good. I suppose I should explain."I was ready for that. I had no experience.